The Spanish National Day, celebrated on October 12, is more than just a military parade and official receptions at Madrid’s Royal Palace. For two decades now, it has also served as a sort of runway for Queen Letizia, whose outfits are scrutinized by the public and fashion critics alike. Her wardrobe for this day tells a story, reflecting her journey from crown prince’s wife to a confident and influential queen—a true fashion icon.
First Steps: From Princess to Style Icon
Letizia made her debut at the celebration in 2004, just five months after her wedding to Prince Felipe. She appeared in an elegant suit by her future favorite designer, Felipe Varela. This choice marked the start of a long-lasting collaboration. In the following years, as Princess of Asturias, she showcased understated elegance. Even during her two pregnancies, in 2005 and 2006, her looks were meticulously crafted—flowing fabrics, classic-cut coats, and, once again, Varela. Year after year, the designer created ensembles that highlighted her status while respecting strict protocol: sheath dresses, tweed suits, refined coats. Her only bold experiment came in 2010, when the princess attended the parade in trousers—a move that sparked much debate over whether such attire was appropriate for the event. Otherwise, this period was defined by predictable yet flawless classics that laid the foundation for her reputation as one of Europe’s most stylish royals.
The Queen’s Era: Bold Choices and New Names
In 2014, Letizia attended Spain’s National Day for the first time as queen. This moment was a turning point for her style as well. While she continued to favor Felipe Varela, her looks became bolder and more structured. She started to opt for richer colors and interesting textures, such as a tweed and green crepe dress in 2014 or a navy outfit in double wool crepe a year later. Perhaps one of the most memorable appearances of that period was in 2019, when she wore a delicate pink dress made of silk and tulle embroidered with butterflies. This romantic yet modern look showed that the queen was unafraid of fashion experiments and open to new trends. Her confidence grew, which was clearly reflected in her wardrobe, drawing increasing public attention and imitation.
Conscious Fashion and Loyalty to Spanish Brands
In recent years, Queen Letizia has entered a new phase in her style evolution. In 2020, at the height of the pandemic, she embraced conscious consumption by appearing in an outfit she had worn before. In 2021, she caused a real sensation—after many years of loyalty to Felipe Varela, she opted for a sky-blue dress by the little-known designer María Barragán. Since then, Queen Letizia has actively supported Spanish brands. In 2022, everyone discussed her polka-dot dress from the Seville label Vogana, and in 2023, her floral-print outfit from Juan Vidal drew attention. Her most recent appearance in 2024 was no exception. Due to rainy weather, she wore a Hugo Boss trench coat during the parade, but at the palace reception, she appeared in a striking red dress from the Madrid brand Poète, already a staple in her wardrobe. This journey from unwavering commitment to a single designer to supporting a variety, including local, labels illustrates how Queen Letizia uses fashion not only for self-expression but also as a tool of diplomacy and to support the national industry.
